Earth Day parade, fair this Saturday

A month of Earth Day-related activities continues this weekend with a parade and a street fair the centerpiece on Saturday.

The Columbia Gorge Earth Day Street Fair will take place on Oak Street between Front and First streets. Booths will be set up and there will be speakers and live music throughout the day. The traditional Earth Day Salmon Pageant and the Procession of the Species parade will be downtown.

The Street Fair runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stage events include music by Wild River from 10-11 a.m., Jamba Marimba Band from 11-noon; Mexican Folk Dancers from noon-12:15 p.m.; and Cosmos Worth and Company from 12:15 to 1 p.m.

The Salmon Pageant goes from 1 to 1:30 p.m., followed by the Procession of Species parade, 1:30 to 2:30.

Dovetailing Saturday with the downtown events is “Children, Creativity and Community in Troubled Times,” an event for toddlers through kids in 5th grade, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at Riverside Community Church, 4th and State streets.

The event includes a petting zoo, art projects, storytime, a “community sing” and refreshments. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. The event is sponsored by Bravissimo! Music and Art Camp in cooperation with Hood River County Community Education, Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital, Riverside Church and Soul Cafe.

Earth Day events continue on Sunday with a community forestry panel discussion, 1 p.m. at Jackson Park. The topic is “Whose forests are these?” The discussion will culminate in an informal tour of county forests and a discussion of a “model” forest. Also on Sunday is Children’s Park birthday work party, 2 to 4 p.m. at the park, 9th and Eugene streets (details on page A2).

On April 29 a free Community Education class is offered in on “Sustainable residential development,” at Hood River Valley High School, 6:30 p.m. in Room H13.

On May 3 a Mid-Columbia Enviro House Tour is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration will be at the Windance parking lot, where maps will be available. Cost is $10 per car. All proceeds to benefit the Columbia Gorge Earth Center.

More information about all the Earth Day-related events can be found on the Web site of the Columbia Gorge Earth Center at www.gorge-earth-network.org.